Sony Alpha A230 - Test Shots

Sony Alpha A230 - Test Shots - ISO Performance

Over the next few pages we show a range of test shots. On this page the full size image at the minimum and maximum ISO settings have been reduced to let you see the full image, and a series of full resolution crops have taken from original images at a range of ISO settings to show the overall image quality.

----

This is the full frame at 100 ISO.

----

Excellent quality at 100 ISO, with no noise at all, although there is a little lens flare coming from the left side of the image.

----

Still no problems at 200 ISO.

----

At 400 ISO there is noise plainly visible in the darker areas of the image.

----

Noise is worse at 800 ISO, but there is still plenty of detail visible.

----

At 1600 ISO the detail is just starting to break down.

----

3200 ISO shows colour distortion, loss of detail and lack od contrast.

----

This is the full frame at 3200 ISO.

----

Comments

Please wait while we process your request

Please wait while we retrieve the user's information

Bio

Your bio is currently empty. Now is a great time to fill in your profile.

This profile is private.

This profile is only shared with friends.

This profile is under review.

We were unable to request friendship with this user.

We were unable to request friendship with this user. Are you logged in?

Your friendship request has been sent to this user.

We were unable to terminate friendship with this user.

We were unable to terminate friendship with this user. Are you logged in?

You are no longer friends with this user.

We were unable to ignore this user.

We were unable to ignore this user. Are you logged in?

This user is now ignored.

We were unable to stop ignoring this user.

We were unable to stop ignoring this user. Are you logged in?

This user is no longer ignored.

pluck_user_mp-abuse_too_long_err

13 comments

Sort:

Name withheld

smc8788

10:50 PM on 17 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore smc8788. Show Details Hide Details

This may seem hypocritical given my earlier comments on the subject, but I really wish Sony would sort out their image processing to reduce the high ISO noise, and make the noise reduction less intrusive. Nikon managed it using the same sensor in the D60, so why can't Sony? I know they're new to the DSLR world, but it was probably one of the the biggest criticisms laid against the older entry level range (although the A700 fared much better), so it's something I thought they would have addressed for these models, even though they appear to be little more than a cosmetic facelift of the old models (and a poor one at that - I hate the new grip as well).

Score:

Noodles

1:11 AM on 18 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore Noodles. Show Details Hide Details

With every review slating the grip on these new Sonys, I actually popped into my local Currys to see what the fuss is all about. It really is that bad, no matter how I positioned my hand, the camera was either tipping forward precariously and digging into my fingers, or falling back with me having to stretch my index finger just to reach the shutter button. This was with the cheapo lightweight kit lens mounted, you will simply not be able to upgrade to a heavier or larger lens, unless you want the handling to get even more "interesting".

Of course, Sony is not expecting the target market of this camera to hang it off a 70-400mm, but it is a bit disappointing for those who would maybe want to expand their system in the future.

The £100 price hike over the A200 isn't great either, but I suppose that camera was only ever priced that low so Sony could claim the "cheapest DSLR" crown against the D40. Now with every other manufacturer raising the prices of their entry level cameras by around the same amount, it would have been commercially silly for Sony not to join in too..

renegade1988

1:12 AM on 18 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore renegade1988. Show Details Hide Details

The image quality seems to be a stepback from the A200, even with the new better kit lense. I was expecting a lot better than just a facelift!

1:29 AM on 18 September, 2009

@renegade: Image quality really isn't too important for this camera. It is aimed squarely at people upgrading from megapixel stuffed compacts, not us pixel peepers. As long as it performs better then your average 12MP point and shoot, then it has done it's job.

Netjock

11:34 AM on 18 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore Netjock. Show Details Hide Details

Basically the review is saying the same thing as with all of the updated range: better lens not the camera.

I brought the A300 for £329 at Jessops just when the new updated range came out and I realise it looked better but not technically superior at an inflated price. Also managed to pic up a 70-300 tamron lens for £129.

Argos has a dual lens A200 kit (std + 70-200) I saw the other day for £350 (or there abouts), that is a BARGAIN compared to this.

lensmann

8:25 PM on 18 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore lensmann. Show Details Hide Details

@smc8788: Early reports are that the A5x0 series dramatically improves high ISO noise. I'm looking forward to seeing it reviewed.

DesWaples

4:36 AM on 19 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore DesWaples. Show Details Hide Details

I went into the local store here and agree about comments about the grip. It's uncomfortable and awkward in the extreme. Anyone coming from a compact couldn't be happy with this grip. I realize they took it off the old Minolta Maxxum 5 series however I would be interested in seeing the sales figures for these models as they realized the error of their ways and and changed to a more "conventional" grip in the next model Maxxum 7.

This new grip could well see Sony slipping from their no.3 ranking behind Nikon.

MrGodfrey

12:57 PM on 19 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore MrGodfrey. Show Details Hide Details

Des - I'm just being pedantic here, but the Maxxum/Dynax 7 wasn't the successor to the 5; it was a higher-end model. The 5 was designed primarily to be very compact, while the 7 provided much more control and was significantly larger and heavier. That's why the grip was different.

Stewart

6:42 PM on 20 September, 2009

This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore Stewart. Show Details Hide Details

@Noodles

Very patronising. There's no reason why someone buying their first DSLR should not expect decent image quality. The camera should be judged alongside its peers and most if not all DSLRs (including entry level) are capable of excellent results....and first time DSLR buyers should be treated should be treated as someone who is interested enough in image quality and photography to want a DSLR.

2:01 AM on 21 September, 2009

@Stewart: Rubbish, everyone knows this camera takes perfectly fine pictures. I was merely stating the point that this camera was not designed for the serious amateur, who will blow up the files 200% on their colour calibrated monitors and bemoan the fact it isn't as sharp or as smooth at ISO 3200 as X/Y/Z brands of camera, that cost far, far more.

You may have noticed all the tourists walking around Central London with these entry level DSLRs, all with the plastic kit lens attached and pop up flash firmly raised. are they "Interested enough in image quality"? I don't think so! Digital SLR's are no longer purely a photographic tool, they have become just another gadget for the masses, much like an Ipod or mobile phone.

Sony is catering for this need by introducing this new class of stripped out and simplified cameras, with a cheap to produce, older design sensor that of course can not match the levels of todays latest and greatest £1500+ beasts.

Please wait while we file your abuse report.

We're sorry. We were unable to report abuse at this time.

We limit the number of reactions an individual user can submit over a given period for quality reasons. You have currently reached that limit. Please try resubmitting your abuse report again later.

Comment is too long. Enter 500 characters or less.